Middle School Notan Art Lesson | Positive & Negative Space Grades 6–8

Help middle school students understand positive and negative space, balance, symmetry, figure-ground relationships, and black-and-white contrast through a complete Notan art lesson. This 20-page resource gives students a structured progression from learning what Notan is, to practicing the key design concepts, planning an original composition, and creating a finished black-and-white artwork. Students explore how dark and light shapes interact, how positive and negative space can switch roles, and how simplified shapes can create strong visual balance. The included planning pages, checklist, artist statement, peer feedback, reflection, rubric, and teacher notes make it easy to guide students through the entire creative process. Why Teachers Will Love It - Introduces Notan in a clear, student-friendly way - Teaches positive and negative space through hands-on practice - Includes symmetry and balance practice - Builds toward a finished artwork rather than stopping with worksheets - Includes planning and thumbnail sketch pages - Includes critique, reflection, and assessment - Works well for middle school students - Can be used as a complete lesson or broken into smaller activities - Useful for sketchbooks, sub plans, early finishers, or project support - Requires simple classroom materials Perfect For - Middle school art - Grades 6–8 - Notan art projects - Positive and negative space lessons - Black-and-white design - Symmetry lessons - Balance lessons - Art vocabulary practice - Sketchbook work - Sub plans - Early finishers - Design units - Art fundamentals Skills & Concepts Students practice: - Positive space - Negative space - Black-and-white contrast - Symmetry - Balance - Simplified shapes - Figure-ground relationships - Composition - Design planning - Thumbnail sketching - Craftsmanship - Reflection - Critique Materials Needed Typical materials may include: - White paper - Black construction paper - Pencil - Eraser - Scissors - Glue - Black marker Estimated Time Approximately 3–5 class periods, depending on class length and how much time is spent on practice and critique. Teacher Tip Have students complete the positive/negative space and figure-ground practice pages before starting the final design. Those exercises make the finished project much easier for students to understand and plan successfully.